Swirls on mirrors

[lexusis250]

I drive a 2009 Lexus IS250 and I have a question about the side view mirrors. How did I get swirl mark in them? How do I remove them? They are only visible at night when lights hit them. The marks look like swirls in the paint.

Has anyone seen this before??

[Tuck91]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

yeah, I just live with em. I guess you could use some sort of glass polish. But glass is known to be hard.

[3Fitty]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

Are they swirls or scratches? Can you feel them, do they have "depth"? I know Todd did a big write-up about a product he used for windshield pitting, but I don't think you can use the same product for the side view mirrors.

I'm wondering if M105 with a 4 inch pad on a drill would do the trick? (I'm thinking out loud, please don't try it unless and until someone who actually knows what they're talking about makes a suggestion).

[Murr1525]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

I dont know if the mirror part is even glass?

[02zx9r]

Re: Swirls on mirrors



Are you saying the swirls/scratches are on the mirror part itself or on the housing?

Swirls on the housing can be from washing/drying and not using enough spray when using enough quick detailing spray, using too dirty of a towel, etc...

On the mirror can be from grinding any dirt into it when wiping or not using a towel soft enough

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

Mirrors are glass with a silve backing
Polishing glass is hard but doable
I've been advised to use a small Dremil type of grinder with felt pads
Can you just buy new ones?
If it bugs you that much, new ones might be a better option
But you can polish glass here's my experiance on that, check out the last few posts by Oldmodman.
How to remove light scratches from glass - homemade system

[Bounty]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

I'm wondering if M105 with a 4 inch pad on a drill would do the trick?

See for yourself. M105 can definitely be used on glass...

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32402

Obviously in that small, enclosed space the DA is not practical so I'd use a drill as suggested with one of those "headlight restoration" wool attachments.

[Markus Kleis]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

The "glass" on mirrors is considerably softer than traditional auto glass in my experience. I would NOT recommend testing compounds on your mirrors.

I have never tried to polish them though, so I can't offer advice on what you could try.

[Bounty]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

The "glass" on mirrors is considerably softer than traditional auto glass in my experience. I would NOT recommend testing compounds on your mirrors.

I have never tried to polish them though, so I can't offer advice on what you could try.

....actually should have put a bit of a "disclaimer" on my post. If you've never done this before (particularly glass polishing) and aren't mentally or financially prepared to replace the glass if damaged then you shouldn't experiment. Dismounting the glass and working on it out of the housing is probably the best bet if doable.

The reality is that removing scratches from glass is just like from paint....you need to remove material and level the surface below the defects. This is much harder to do on glass surfaces than clear coat. You really need to weigh the potential pro's and con's before attempting to do this without any experience. Start with something less aggressive like Ultimate Compound and a foam pad and see if it makes any dent in the scratches at all. If not you have some tough choices to make...

[Black Bart]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

Is he talking about the glass or the housing ??????

If it is the glass here is what you need.

http://www.caswellplating.com/buffs/glass.htm

[lexusis250]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

Wow thanks for all the feedback. It's the actual mirror not the housing

[Megafast13]

Re: Swirls on mirrors

I have the same issue on my 94' Crown Vic Mirrors. There are swirls and scratches on them.... I haven't messed with them yet, but I might just try to find a mirror sticker replacement or something, because it drives me crazy.

It's kind of unusual to hear about the issue on such a nice high quality car though....